Sen. John McCain said Sunday that a “slight improvement” in the economy — and favorable coverage by the media — have staked President Obama to a lead over Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

“I think Americans see a glimmer of hope,” Mr. McCain, Arizona Republican, said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “There is slight improvement in the economy.”

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Mr. McCain, who ran as the GOP presidential candidate against Mr. Obama in 2008, said the president has benefited from having Republican governors who have improved the jobs outlook in swing states such as Ohio.

An Obama-friendly media helps the president, too, he said.

“I do believe that media coverage had something to do with it,” Mr. McCain said. “But most Americans will still be making up their minds after these debates and right up to Election Day.”

Question of the Day

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About the Author

David Eldridge joined The Washington Times in 1999 and over the next seven years helped lead the paper’s coverage of regional politics and government, Sept. 11, and the sniper attacks of 2002. In 2006, he was named managing editor of the paper’s website before moving on to editing and reporting stints at Roll Call, the Hill and InsideSources. He returned ...